Canadians are often renowned for our apologetic nature, passion for poutine and maple syrup, ability to thrive in freezing temperatures, and propensity to break out into a game of hockey at the drop of a puck.
If you’re searching for a gift for someone special who lives abroad, sending something uniquely Canadian that they might not find in their neck of the woods can make the gift extra special.
While a pack of Timbits and a double-double probably won’t survive the trip, this list of “eh”-dorable gifts will have everyone at the baby shower saying, “That’s a beauty, eh?”.
Loulou Lollipop Canada Themed Swaddle
LouLou Lollipop, founded by twin sisters Angel and Eleanor in 2015, first hit the baby scene with their adorable donut and ice cream cone teethers made of food-grade silicone.
Their product line now includes clothing, mealtime gear, bath toys, towels, bedding, and more. Their 47” x 47” muslin swaddle blankets feature irresistible prints, including a Canada-themed design showcasing something special from each province and territory, like the Calgary Stampede and Niagara Falls. Get it on the Loulou Lollipop site.
Hockey-themed gear from Loulou Lollipop
Score the ultimate bedtime hat trick with Loulou Lollipop’s hockey-themed bedding, blankets and sleep sacks. The breathable bamboo cotton will be so soft on your baby’s skin that they’ll drift into dreamland faster than Zdeno Chara’s record-breaking slapshot. Find the whole collection on the Loulou Lollipop site.
Substance Skincare from Matter Company
Matter Company was founded in Toronto in 1996 by Denise Williams, who is a Therapeutic Herbalist. Matter Company is dedicated to using plants and their medicinal properties to create all-natural skincare products without chemicals like parabens and petrolatum.
This Mom & Baby Travel Pack gives you a little bit of everything, including Belly Jelly, Mineral Soak, Leg & Back Creme, Nappy Rash Ointment, Baby Body Foam, and Baby Creme. I also recommend their Hand Cream – it smells incredible and it’s my absolute favourite. You can find it on the Matter Company site.
I’m Told I Like Hockey onesie
It’s no secret that many Canadian babies basically come into the world with a hockey stick in hand. Let them share their inherited love of the sport with the world before they can speak or skate with this romper. Get it here.
Poutine onesie
Gravy fries and cheese curds are a Canadian staple that reigns supreme. Let your baby get out for a rip in this onesie that pays homage to one of the best delicacies out there, even if they have no idea what it actually tastes like. Get it here.
Cobra Chicken onesie
Anyone sharing space with a Canada Goose knows that if you get too close, you’re going to get hissed at or bitten. As it turns out, this is a characteristic they share with babies and toddlers. Celebrate the feisty nature of these birds of a feather with a hilarious onesie. Get it here.
Sweeter than maple syrup onesie
The only thing sweeter than a plate of pancakes doused in maple syrup is a cutie newborn baby, and this onesie tells it like it is. Get it here.
MEC Toaster Bunting Suit
Mountain Equipment CoOp has all the gear an outdoorsy baby could need to get out and enjoy the elements. The Toaster Bunting Suit is a waterproof, insulated one-piece suit that is great for winter activities like riding in a sled, child carrier, or bike trailer or building their first snowman. You can find it on the MEC site.
mimiTENS
No one tells you that a kid’s will to take off and lose their mittens is stronger than a Canadian’s urge to apologize for the slightest inconvenience. Fortunately, mimiTENS has a pretty great solution for this one: mittens with an extra long cuff that can be tucked into sleeves to keep the cold air out and the mittens on. The company also designs mitten sets for kids and adults with limb differences! Grab a pair of mimiTens here.
Nooks Designs
Nooks Designs is a Canadian company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. For an extra special baby gift, check out some of their handmade booties, made from 100% pure New Zealand lambswool and rugged hide leather. They’re easy to get on and secure so they stay on the feet of even the most determined-to-be-barefoot babe. Get them on the Nooks site.
Native Shoes
Take a look around your nearest playground, and you’re likely to see a lot of kids (and grownups!) sporting Native Shoes. This Canadian company started out in Vancouver in 2009. Their lightweight, comfy and colorful kicks are made of eco-friendly materials that are easy to get off and on. Grab a pair on the Native site and on Amazon.ca.
Up The Creek
There are few things more Canadian than a story about a bear, a moose and a beaver. Nicholas Oldland’s funny words and silly pictures will have grownups and kids alike giggling through this story about three friends on a canoe trip gone awry. Get it on Amazon.ca, Amazon, or at Indigo.
My Heart Fills With Happiness
This beautifully illustrated board book was the winner of the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize in 2017. It’s a great reminder of all the little things in life that can bring us joy. Get it on Amazon.ca, Amazon, or at Indigo.
50 Below Zero
There’s not a Canadian kid out there who hasn’t heard at least one story by the hilarious Robert Munsch. 50 Below Zero is a great book to get even the teeniest babies ready for a life of chilly Canadian winters. Get it on Amazon.ca, Amazon, or at Indigo.
Maud Lewis 1, 2, 3
It’s never too early to get to know the work of Maud Lewis – Nova Scotia’s most famous folk painter. Get that baby practicing their 1, 2, 3s as you count the cute and colorful critters on each page. You can find it on Amazon.ca, Amazon and at Indigo.
Sweetest Kulu
Sweetest Kulu is a beautiful bedtime poem, written by Celina Kalluk, that celebrates the bond between a newborn baby and the world around them. In the poem, the animals of the Arctic share gifts with a newborn Kulu (baby), highlighting Inuit values like love, respect, and the connection of people to the land and its creatures. Get it on Amazon.ca, Amazon, or at Indigo.
Rocky the Moose
The beaver may be Canada’s most renowned critter, but the mighty moose definitely deserves a turn in the “Canadian-themed gifts” spotlight. Unlike his counterpart in the wild, Rocky the Moose comes with three different outfits and is the perfect size for snuggling. As an added bonus, the purchase of each handmade doll contributes to providing 12 therapeutic meals to malnourished children globally through Action Against Hunger. You can find Rocky (and friends) on the True Little North site.
Roots Baby Cabin Cozy Romper
You can’t make a list of Canadian baby items and not include at least one thing from Roots Canada. It doesn’t get cozier than their Baby Cabin Cozy Romper made with organic cotton and recycled fibres. You can find it at Roots here.
HBC Stripes Baby’s Multistripe Pom-Pom Toque
The Hudson Bay Company has been around since 1670, making it one of the oldest and longest-running businesses in North America.
The HBC stripes are pretty iconic around here, and there’s nothing cuter than a baby with a giant pompom on its head, which makes this gift a no-brainer. Just make sure you don’t accidentally refer to this garment as a beanie – in Canada, there’s only one word for a toque. You can find it on the Bay here.
Bath Towels From Oneberrie
I used to think a towel was just a towel, until I tried to wrap up a slippery, squirming newborn who was fresh out of the tub. Oneberrie has crafted a hands-free, wearable towel for parents that makes it easy to dry off and snuggle your little one when their bathtime adventures are done. Their rectangular towels come in different sizes for growing kids, and are made out of small loop bamboo and cotton flannel, making them super soft. You can find them on the Oneberrie site.
If you want a fun ‘clean theme,’ top it up with a Canadian Buncha Farmers Stain Remover Stick.
Herschel Baby Gear
Herschel Supply Co. was founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, who grew up in the small town of Herschel, Saskatchewan. Their backpacks, bags and accessories are a hit with trendy kids and grownups alike, and their diaper bags and change mats keep new parents looking cool while handling even the worst diaper disasters. Find them on the Herschel site.
MINI TIPI Blanket
MINI TIPI is a Canadian-owned company from Gatineau, Québec with a mission to increase the availability of authentic, Indigenous-designed textiles. The queen-sized, wool blend “We Are All One” reversible blanket is perfect for every occasion, from from picnics and camping trips to getting cozy on the couch. You can find all the designs on the Mini Tipi site.
WWF Canadian Bundle
Sending a life-sized moose through the mail would probably cost a fortune in postage, but the World Wildlife Fund has come up with a fun alternative. For $50, you can symbolically adopt a moose to help raise money to fund the protection of their habitats, or you can adopt 15 Canadian animals for $608.
Each adoption kit comes with a cute, high-quality plush, a personalized adoption certificate, an educational poster, and even an optional reusable tote bag. You can find it on the WWF website.
Sorry – what makes a great Canadian baby gift?
Whether you’re looking for a bold statement or something more subtle, there are lots of ways to give a nod to Canada with your baby gift.
Statement presents, like onesies featuring Canadian slang, are always good for a chuckle, while grabbing gear from popular Canadian companies is a great way to support shops from the great white north.
Items like blankets, skincare, clothing, books and toys are always appreciated by expecting parents, and adding a little Canadian flair is a fun way to make your gift extra memorable.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get ‘er done!
Also check out Unique Baby Shower Gifts: 100 Ideas No One Thinks Of